Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 16, 2026
Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
Calcium and Phosphorus Intake in Very Low Birth Weight Preterm Infants: Implications for Osteopenia Prevention and
Piyarat Kajohntridach1, Premsak Laoyookhong2, Tippawan Siritientong1,3
1Department of Food and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Pathum Wan District, Bangkok, Thailand.
Purpose:
Sufficient calcium and phosphorus supplementation in preterm infants may ensure proper bone growth and reduce the risk of osteopenia. This study aimed to assess-in comparison to controls-the calcium and phosphorus intake via both enteral and parenteral routes, as well as growth, of preterm infants with very low birth weight (VLBW) who were diagnosed with osteopenia. Assessment took place during the first 28 days of life; infants were followed throughout hospitalization.
Methods:
We conducted a single-center, retrospective study of preterm infants weighing <1,500 g who were admitted to a tertiary healthcare center between January 1, 2017 and June 30, 2022.
Results:
The study included 55 infants with osteopenia (case group) and 220 control infants (control group). The average weekly calcium intake in the case group during the first 4 weeks after birth was significantly lower than that of the control group, with values of 1.45, 1.98, 3.06, and 4.02 mEq/kg/day versus 1.64, 3.10, 4.89, and 5.69 mEq/kg/day, respectively (p<0.05). Similarly, phosphorus intake was significantly lower in the case group (0.75, 1.24, 1.29, and 1.45 mmoL/kg/day) compared to the control group (0.75, 1.38, 1.62, and 1.79 mmoL/kg/day; p<0.05). Preterm infants with VLBW and osteopenia exhibited lower average daily weight gain (19.03 g vs. 21.45 g; p<0.001) and a smaller gain in head circumference (0.57 cm vs. 0.68 cm; p<0.001) compared to controls.
Conclusion:
This findings highlight the necessity for timely provision of calcium and phosphorus to prevent osteopenia and promote optimal growth in this vulnerable population.
More Related Videos
07:11Assessment of the Efficacy of An Osteopathic Treatment in Infants with Biomechanical Impairments to Suckling
Published on: February 5, 2019
04:24Proper Positioning and Restraint of a Rat Hind Limb for Focused High Resolution Imaging of Bone Micro-architecture Using In Vivo Micro-computed Tomography
Published on: November 22, 2017
Related Concept Videos
01:17Hormones and Bone Tissue
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...
01:29Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
01:31Essential Minerals for Bone Health
Calcium and Phosphorus
Calcium is a critical component of bones, especially in the form of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. Since the body cannot make calcium, it must be obtained from the diet. However, calcium cannot be absorbed from the small intestine without...
01:21Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis
01:25Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
01:27Urinary Tract Calculi IV: Nutrition Therapy and Prevention